Christophe Roumier said that he began harvesting on 5 September. Harvesting lasted six days and he characterized it as “easy” and “quick.” Yields were normal and less than in 2017. Alcohols were relatively high -- up to 14.2º, although most were in the 13.2-14.0º range. Whole clusters are 35% for the village wine, about 50% in the premier cru wines and 55% in the grand cru wines. Christophe performed very little punchdown (pigeage) in 2018. Malolactic fermentations began in April and finished in July.
Wines marked with an asterisk (*) are labelled as Christophe Roumier; the other wines are labelled Domaine G. Roumier.
2018 Chambolle-Musigny
Stony, open red currant aromas, very precise. Dark fruits on palate, pure, light, finesse. 13.4º alcohol, high pH here. (91-93)
2018 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Clos de la Buissière
Dark fruits, finesse, length, lightness on palate, some minerality, no rusticity. Lower pH than the Chambolle. (91-94)
2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Combottes
Dark fruits and minerality in nose. Mouth has dark fruits, intensity, chewiness, more power than the Clos de la Bussière but not as fresh or as fine. (91-94)
2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras
Dark fruits that are ripe and just short of jammy. Medium-weight, light on tongue, elegant. The usual structure isn’t showing here. 14.2º alcohol. (91-93)
2018 Echézeaux
From the En Orveaux lieu-dit in Echézeaux, this is not a prime part of the appellation, but the warmth of 2018 helped out here and global warming may provide a brighter future than one would have though a few years ago. Spicy red fruit aromas. Dark fruits on the palate, a little licorice, purity, sensuality, and freshness. (93-95)
2018 Charmes-Chambertin Aux Mazoyères*
Dark fruit aromas. Mouth shows depth, purity, intensity, but also finesse. Slight gaminess that is typical of Mazoyères. Medium-weight, smooth texture. (93-95)
2018 Ruchottes-Chambertin*
Minerality in nose. Mouth is pure with minerality, finesse, iron and stony notes, red fruits, elegance, good freshness. (93-96)
2018 Bonnes-Mares
This is the third vintage with the new holding in Bonnes-Mares which has increased the percentage of white soil vines and somewhat changed the personality of the wine young. Floral aromas. Dark fruit flavors, finesse, complexity, length, freshness, depth, minerality. Sure to be outstanding and maybe even great. (95-97)
2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses
Floral nose. Spicy red fruits in mouth, good density, freshness, energy, and precision. Roumier’s Amoureuses can often seem more like Musigny than Amoureuses (not a problem), but this one is faithful to the Amoureuses profile. (95-97)
2018 Musigny
Floral aromas. Mouth is pure and deep with dark fruits that are very undeveloped -- this wine still needs lots of time in barrel. Rich, sensual. Two barrels made. (96-98)